CVS Caremark may be highly focused on driving medication adherence, curbing rising healthcare costs and improving the health outcomes of its patients, but there’s no doubt that its retail segment remains a critical part of its business, as evidenced by the innovative initiatives playing out at the front end.

Harris Teeter and Washington, D.C., Ward 6 council member Tommy Wells joined forces Thursday to offer a $10,000 donation to Jan’s Tutoring House, a nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C., that pairs children with volunteers who provide one-on-one tutoring and mentoring.

More than half of retail respondents to a survey conducted by the Retail Industry Leaders Association recently reported an increase in the frequency with which organized rings committed shoplifting, and 41% saw an increase in shoplifting by individuals acting alone.

Target reported a moderately better-than-expected 5.3% same-store sales increase for September that was driven by broad-based gains in all categories and geographic regions, the company reported Thursday.

While Toys"R"Us and Kmart were among the first retailers to release their hot toy lists, Walmart wasn't too far behind this year, offering many of the same toys as the aforementioned companies, and even some exclusives.

Costco membership seems to defy current consumer trends as the warehouse club announced Wednesday that it would raise its annual membership fees as it reported increases in fourth-quarter sales and earnings.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services secretary Kathleen Sebelius will receive her seasonal flu vaccine and will talk about the importance of prevention measures and flu season preparedness Wednesday morning at a Walgreens "health and daily living" pilot store in Chicago.

The chairman of the House of Representatives' Committee on Education and the Workforce has introduced legislation that is designed to prevent the National Labor Relations Board from implementing sweeping changes to the workplace.

Max-Wellness on Wednesday announced the opening of its latest store in Columbus, Ohio, with a 5,000-sq.-ft. location positioned between Gramercy and New Bond by hhgregg. Grand opening celebrations are slated for Oct. 12.

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores on Wednesday voiced its strong opposition to a piece of legislation sponsored by U.S. Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, which would require a mandatory track-and-trace system — a move that could cost the typical pharmacy chain millions of dollars to implement across all stores.

The charitable arm of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores announced 12 academic institutions have received funding to expand community pharmacy residencies for recent pharmacy school graduates.

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SPECIAL REPORTS

Pharmacy’s battle for recognition continues

Fifty years ago this summer, President Lyndon B. Johnson secured his place in history by signing into law the legislation that created Medicare and Medicaid. To commemorate the anniversary, Drug Store News has put together an exclusive report on the effect that Medicare and Medicaid have had on the retail pharmacy industry and how it has transformed the role of the pharmacist. more...

IN THIS ISSUE

In this issue, DSN profiles Rite Aid and how the company is achieving a vision to become a retail healthcare company that delivers a higher level of care to its communities; takes you on a tour of Sears; offers insight into millennial shoppers and more. Click here to view the issue.